Business Briefs

Central Atlanta

Progress is seeking proposals from local businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and artists to open pop up shops at vacant storefronts along the Atlanta Streetcar route. The Pop Up Retail Event will run April 1 through July 31 and will be coupled with promotion and events surrounding the streetcar route opening. Central Atlanta Progress will grant up to $500 per each approved Pop Up retailer for start-up and space improvement costs. Funds may be used to finance minor improvements to interior or exterior space, per landlord/owner approval. Space will be provided rent-free for a period of up to three months; the retailer will be responsible for insurance and utility costs, as well as securing a business license. Applications are being accepted now through Feb. 28. For more information and to download an application, visit atlantadowntown.com/ business/pop-up-retail.

Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP has chosen Kate’s Club, an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower children and teens facing life after the death of a parent or sibling, as its annual partner for 2014. MMMPact, the company’s social responsibility outreach, selects one area organization per year as its annual partner. This year’s partnership will ensure that MMM and Kate’s Club work closely together throughout the year to create multiple sponsorship and volunteer opportunities within the firm, as well as to raise awareness and funds for Kate’s Club. The partnership also signifies that all proceeds from MMM’s annual fundraising event in the summer go to Kate’s Club.

Buckhead’s Lindbergh City Center has secured a $24.5 million loan for an expansion project, according to a report in the Atlanta Business Chronicle. The money will go toward the construction of two additional buildings on the Piedmont Road site, one of which will be a 1,800-square-foot Dunkin’ Donuts.

The Atlanta City Council has passed an ordinance to increase the freeport exemption for manufacturers and distributors to 100 percent. The inventory tax exemption increase will remove the tax for certain classes of goods destined for shipment outside of the state, equaling exemptions in surrounding counties and cities. Manufacturing firms generate nearly $6 billion in sales each year, accounting for more than 10 percent of all sales in the city of Atlanta.

After almost 93 years, Loehmann’s (loehmanns.com) is closing all 39 of its remaining clothing department stores around the country, including two in Atlanta. Liquidation sales are underway at 2480 Briarcliff Road and at 120 Perimeter Center Place. Only cash and major credit cards will be accepted. Gift cards can be redeemed through Feb. 7.

Comedian and owner of Atlanta’s Laughing Skull Lounge, Marshall Chiles, is launching Green Room, etc (greenroometc.com), a “funny business” that utilizes professional comedians to integrate humor into business events, videos and presentations. “Comedy is the best way to maintain someone’s attention,” says Chiles. “The root word of emotion is motion. In order to move people, you need to connect with them emotionally. We provide a service that helps you increase those connections and engagement by adding more humor in your presentation.”

Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC) in Peachtree Hills has announced that Ainsworth-Noah (ainsworth-noah.com) will expand to 6,500 square feet in February, making it the largest showroom not only at the center, but in the southeast. AinsworthNoah will welcome new lines from Osborne & Little, the high-end British fabric and wallpaper design group, as well as Zimmer Rohde and Dessin Fournir.

Children’s clothing manufacturer Carter’s, Inc. (carters.com) has opened its new corporate headquarters at Phipps Tower in Buckhead. The move is part of a consolidation of operations to metro Atlanta, where the company currently employs more than 1,700 people. In addition to moving into the new 275,000 square foot LEED certified space and consolidating operations, Carter’s will add nearly 200 jobs to its Atlanta workforce. The company made a $30 million capital investment to complete the relocation.

Westside Modern (westsidemodernatlanta. com), a mid-century modern furniture showroom, has opened 876 Huff Road in Atlanta’s Design District. Furniture from American designers will be found among the works of Percival Lafer of Brazil, antique Khotan rugs from Turkistan, and contemporary designers like Patricia Urquiola. The offerings at Westside Modern will change frequently, with different furnishings arriving directly from Denmark.

MOCK, the agency (mocktheagency.com), an advertising, graphic and digital design company based in Atlanta, purchased two buildings on 14th Street, in Atlanta’s Westside district. The first building will become MOCK’s new office, and the other is available for lease. The two buildings, at 247 14th St. and 253 14th St., are both 2,500 square feet. MOCK has worked with architect Jordan Williams of Plexus R+D, and both buildings are currently under renovation.

The former Holiday Inn Atlanta Capitol Conference Center Hotel has become Hotel Capitol Park (hotelcapitolpark.com) and is no longer part of the Holiday Inn brand of hotels. Located at 450 Capitol Ave. in Downtown, Hotel Capitol Park offers guests close proximity to the city’s tourist attraction, restaurants, nightlife, and sporting venues as well as access to the State Capitol and major trade and conference centers.